UND co-sponsoring book discussion on ‘Dakota: A Spiritual Geography’ on June 3

UND co-sponsoring book discussion on ‘Dakota: A Spiritual Geography’ on June 3

The Grand Forks Public Library and the University of North Dakota Chester Fritz Library invite the community to participate in a book discussion of "Dakota: A Spiritual Geography" by Kathleen Norris. The book discussion will be held at 7 p.m., Tuesday, June 3, in the Grand Forks Public Library.

People interested in participating in the book discussion may pick up a free copy of the book at the libraries' reference desks while supplies last. The book discussion will be followed by an evening with the author, Kathleen Norris, at 7 p.m., Monday, June 9, in the Firehall Theatre.

Kathleen Norris is an award-winning poet, writer and author of the New York Times bestsellers: "The Cloister Walk," "Amazing Grace: A Vocabulary of Faith," "The Virgin of Bennington," and "Dakota: A Spiritual Geography." "Dakota: A Spiritual Geography" is a former New York Times' "Notable Book of the Year" and was selected at the time of its printing as one of the best books of the year by Library Journal.

The book discussions are a jointly sponsored by the South Dakota Humanities Council, the North Dakota Humanities Council and the 125th Anniversary Committees from the states of North and South Dakota to commemorate the anniversaries of the respective statehoods. The book discussions and presentations with the author will be held throughout the two states and a special joint state event is scheduled for June 16, in Hettinger, N.D.

"When ... asked if North Dakota wanted to partner on this project, I was thrilled," said Brenna Gerhardt, executive director of the North Dakota Humanities Council, "When it was written, Norris's book represented the Dakotas to the nation, and it still does. When I travel and tell people I'm from North Dakota, I often have people ask me if I've read "Dakota". Revisiting her book is a lot like looking in the mirror and thinking, "Is this how people see us?" I'm curious to see if people will agree with the picture she paints of us or find it as appealing as people from outside our borders do."

In a joint statement, Wilbur Stolt, director of UND libraries and Wendy Wendt, director of the Grand Forks Public Library, said, "The libraries of Grand Forks and the University of North Dakota are pleased to co-sponsor this community event. We hope such activities will bring people together to explore ideas and issues influencing our community and state. Support from the North Dakota Humanities Council and its partners are greatly appreciated."